A historic family tradition, combined with a tribute to a caring President, has inspired a fund that - with your help - can enrich student life every year at King's.

Pictured: Ian McKee, Johanne Zwicker McKee ('50) granddaughter Jennifer (second from right) and family at Jennifer's graduation from King's in 2010.

The University of King’s College is pleased to announce the creation of the King’s Collegiate Initiative Fund. This fund has been established by Johanne and Ian McKee in honour of their family whose association King’s spans four generations. This family tradition began with Henry Freeman Zwicker's graduation from King’s Windsor in 1916, followed by his daughter Johanne Zwicker McKee's enrolment at King’s College in 1950.  Grandson Andrew McKee was the recipient of the first King’s Medal in 1985, great granddaughter Jennifer McKee graduated from King's in 2010. Additionally, Fraser McKee (brother-in-law to Johanne Zwicker McKee) was part of HMCS KING’s in 1944.

The King’s Collegiate Initiative Fund has been established by the McKee Family on the occasion of the retirement of Dr. William Barker -President of the University of King’s College 2003-2011 - in recognition of his commitment to student engagement. The McKee Family have asked that the income from this fund be made available, in perpetuity, to the President of the University of King’s College to support initiatives that enhance student life.

 Johanne Zwicker McKee and Ian McKee have provided for the fund through an initial gift of $50,000 and have offered a matching gift opportunity up to an additional $50,000.  Through this matching gift, the McKee Family hope to encourage alumni, friends and the college community to join them in support of this fund.  In particular, the McKees hope to encourage young alumni to give to King's, by showing them the power of small gifts.

For more than two hundred years, King's students have spontaneously generated their communal life in an unlimited, unexpected, indescribable, and changing variety of student societies and activities. The fund will assist the student creativity which is the life-giving heart of our beloved College.

"We all thank the McKee family for their generous gift to King's," says Dr. William Barker. "I'm grateful that they have created such an original gift, that will help future presidents support the numerous initiatives of our students. The students are - of course - the basis of the College's vitality and spirit."

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